Mosquito-Borne Disease

What is West Nile virus?

West Nile Virus is a mosquito-borne virus that originated in Africa. It first appeared in the United States in 1999 and it moved West until it reached California in 2003. It is present throughout the year, although illness is often associated with peaks during hot summer months.

What is Zika virus?

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can make humans sick.

How can I get Zika virus?

Zika virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes infected with Zika virus are currently found in areas of Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and most recently, South and Central America and Mexico. Zika may also be transmitted between partners of any gender during sex, and from a mother to her unborn baby during pregnancy.

What is St. Louis Encephalitis?

Saint Louis Encephalitis is a virus, related to West Nile virus, transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. Culex tarsalis and to a lesser extent Culex pipiens are the mosquito species responsible for transmitting St. Louis Encephalitis.

What is Western Equine Encephalitis?

Western Equine Encephalitis is a virus transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. The transmission cycle is between wild birds and mosquitoes. A mosquito will bite a bird infected with Western Equine Encephalitis and become infected. While looking for another blood meal, an infected mosquito can infect an uninfected bird, horse, or human. In past outbreaks, this disease has caused severe illness and death in horses.

What is dog heartworm?

Dog heartworm is a disease caused by a roundworm (Dirofilaria immitis) which lives in the heart and lungs of dogs. Heartworm disease has become a serious health problem for dogs throughout the United States. The disease is transmitted into the bloodstream of dogs, coyotes, foxes and even cats through the infective bite of a western treehole mosquito (Aedes sierrensis). These microscopic larvae move into the heart and lungs of the animal where they complete its development.

What is chikungunya?

Chikungunya is a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. It has been found in many parts of the world, including recently the Caribbean, South and Central America, and North America.

What are the signs and symptoms of chikungunya?

Symptoms of chikungunya usually begin 3-7 days after infection, and include fever, severe joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Chikungunya is not usually fatal, but may cause severe pain and discomfort.

What is dengue?

Dengue is a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. It has been found in many parts of the world, including recently the Caribbean, South and Central America, and North America.

What are the signs and symptoms of dengue?

Symptoms of dengue include high fever, severe headache, eye pain, joint pain, muscle pain, rash, and mild bleeding. A more severe form of the disease, dengue hemorrhagic fever, has similar symptoms that are followed by vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and difficulty breathing.

What is yellow fever?

Yellow fever is a virus transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. It has been found in areas of South America and Africa.

What are the signs and symptoms of yellow fever?

Symptoms of yellow fever usually begin 3-6 days after infection, and include fever, chills, severe headache, back pain, body aches, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and weakness. These are rarely followed by a more severe form of yellow fever, including jaundice, bleeding, high fever, and organ failure.

What is malaria?

Malaria is a parasite that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. There are four species of malaria parasites: Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. ovale, and P. malariae. These four species differ in their biology and in severity of disease.